How to get a Refund on Your Unwanted Windows

lisah writes "Serge Wroclawski recently contacted Dell to request a refund on the unwanted copy of Windows XP that came pre-installed on his computer. Somewhat surprisingly, Dell complied. Wroclawski admits that the $52.50 refund was more of a victory in principal than anything else, but it was a success nonetheless. Using his tips and techniques readers can try their hand at getting a refund of their own. Wroclawski cautions that you should be prepared for a long haul: the process could take hours." Linux.com and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.

Comments

Outsource the job?

[fragMasterFlash]

Can I hire someone in China to go through the refund process for me for a fraction of the refund amount?

Re:Outsource the job?

[wfberg]

Can I hire someone in China to go through the refund process for me for a fraction of the refund amount?

No, but our operators in Nigeria are standing by..

Re:Outsource the job?

[Bluesman]

You could go one step further and hire the same call center that Dell uses to answer the refund calls.

That way, they can save money on phone bills and just shout across the room at each other.

Re:Spend hours to get $52.50

[FunkyELF]

Its spelled 'cents', and yes...I agree 5,250 is a lot of cents.

Re:My way?

[cloudkiller]

Have you listened to those stupid commercials? In case not, here is an official transcript. Joe Sixpack: "I want a computer." Dell-Idiot: "Let's build you a custom dell." Joe Sixpack: "Cool. I want to play games on it." Dell-Idiot: "Lets upgrade you to a massive 19" flat panel and an intel processor" Joe Sixpack: "Awesome, that's like totally customized." Dell-Idiot: "Your super-customized computer will be at your doorstep in just three days" Joe Sixpack: "I rock."

Re:Spend hours to get $52.50

[winkydink]

I guess if you're still living with your mom, you might consider it a large sum.

Re:Makes One Wonder...

[Infinityis]

They can't sell copies of Windows XP for the same cost because of the physical media involved...I reckon it takes an extra ten cents to print a nifty genuine hologram, and $36.40 goes to the RIAA because someone might figure out how to use the CD to pirate music.

Re:Dumbass

[e4g4]

in front of my PS3, cocktail in hand You must be playing the Wii - the PS 3 controller requires two hands ;)

$52.50

[dino213b]

In theory, one could use that money to purchase World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade. If this Windows refund effort is done on a "patch Tuesday", even the time could be justified in lieu of Blizzard maintenance down-time.

Re:Refund for Macs

[pandrijeczko]

Would be interesting to know if you can get a refund form Apple for OSX if you plan to install some other OS on it.

Well, you learn something *EVERY* day on Slashdot! And there was me thinking OSX was just a pretty matching screensaver for an over-sized designer coffee table...

Re:Good Advice, but...

[danzona]

Slacker

Re:Doing this HURTS more than it helps.

[whoever57]

and viola - the problem was gone.

There was music? Or do you mean "voila!"?